The other weekend, I held a virtual wine tasting in what has become another in a series of occasional online gatherings to sample, discuss and enjoy wines with fellow wine aficionados. This time I asked participants to choose one or more wines in the list of recommended red wines from my previous blog post. We tasted the following 4 wines which were generally available in local PA wine stores. Although all wines were positively received, the Italian and Argentine wines seemed to have the edge in preference. In any event, they all offer good value and a welcome accompaniment to your dinner dishes.
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2019 ($9.99)
Origin:
Valle
de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal:
100%
Malbec
Production/Tasting
Notes: Estate grown in Uco Valley; cold maturation for 5-7
days before vinification with native yeasts; partially aged in French oak
barrels; blackcurrant and plum aromas; full-bodied, black cherry and chocolate
notes; velvety finish; structured yet soft tannins. (92 points, James Suckling)
Food Pairing: Steak, burgers,
barbeque
Alcohol:
13.7%
Los
Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 https://www.taubfamilyselections.com/ ($11.99)
Origin: Colchagua
Valley, Chile
Varietal:
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting
Notes: Estate grown and bottled; produced by Domaines
Baron de Rothschild (Lafite); stainless steel fermentations between 77 80
degress;10-15 days of maceration with frequent pump-overs; 3 months aging in
stainless steel tanks; aromas of red fruit - plum, raspberry, cherry; laced
with notes of ripe strawberries, nutmeg, cocoa, thyme, and black pepper; savory
notes of tobacco, toasted hazelnuts, dark chocolate, tapenade; fresh lively
tannins.
Food
pairing: Barbeque and grilled meats; pizza
Alcohol: 14%
Planeta
La Segreta Il Rosso 2017 planeta.it ($8.99)
Origin:
Sicilia
DOC
Varietals:
50%
Nero d'Avola; 25% Merlot; 20% Syrah; 5% Cabernet Franc
Production/Tasting
Notes: After
diraspapigiatura (destemming), maceration
for 7-14 days; racked then aged in oak; aromas of red fruits, black currant,
mulberry, cocoa, hints of balsamic; flavors
of ripe berries; herbaceous notes; lightly spicy, mentholated finish; soft
tannins.
Food
Pairing: pizza, pasta, burgers; Mediterranean fare;
bluefish
Alcohol:
13.5%
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2016 ($19.99)
Origin:
Veneto
IGT
Varietals:
40% Corvina, 30% Corvinone; 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese
Production/Tasting
Notes: Average vine age 35 years; fermented with native
yeasts in stainless steeel; aged 15 months in second-hand barrels; 7 months in
bottle; aromas of crushed cherries, aged balsamic, delicate spice; lively fruit, tart
edge; angular tannins; moderate acidity; herb-, smoke-laced finish (90 points, Wine Spectator)
Food
Pairings: hearty pastas; pizza
Alcohol:
14%
There's one more one wine (not on the original recommended list) that some people sampled and is also from the Veneto region. It was very well received and is a special bargain as a Chairman's Select if you can still find it:
Zenato Alanera Rosso Veronese 2015
Winemaker Notes
This is rich and layered with dark berries, chocolate and hints of hazelnuts. Full-bodied, yet bright and focused. Dusty texture. Drink now or hold. (James Sucking, 93 points.)
Wine
Notes
Los
Vascos wines blend Lafite tradition with the unique
terroir of Chile to create elegant wines that bring exceptional to the
everyday. The vision of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) to expand their
estate took them to South America in 1988, becoming the first French
viticultural investment in modern Chile. Since then, a comprehensive
modernization and investment program has been undertaken, oriented towards the
production of fine wine using and adapting the viticultural experiences of
Bordeaux and other areas where Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) is
present. Los Vascos is located in Valley de Caneten (Colchagua), a closed
valley in the central zone of Chile, approximately 25 miles from the sea. The
valley provides a perfect microclimate for high quality viticulture, with
Northern exposure to lands uncontaminated by airborne or water-borne
pollutants. Daily on-shore winds provide temperature changes between 68-77°F,
for optimum maturation of the grapes.
Allegrini is the Veneto’s most acclaimed winery, and their Amarone is the gold standard. The Allegrini family has been handing down grapegrowing and winemaking traditions over six generations, playing a major role in the Valpolicella Classico area since the 16th century.
Giovanni Allegrini is the patriarch of the modern estate and has worked hard to develop and perfect major innovations in the art of wine, particularly when it comes to Amarone. He was among the first in questioning local viticultural techniques, revolutionizing accepted practices, and speaking clearly about quality. He was able to combine the science of enology with strict grape selection, and between 1960 and 1970, made some of the Valpolicella's best wines.
The estate is based in Fumane di Valpolicella, just north of Verona in northeastern Italy. Valpolicella, or "valley of many cellars" is an area crossed from north to south by a series of hills, which in succession form three parallel valleys. These valleys are crossed by steep-sided, narrow riverbeds which remain dry except during spring thaws or autumn rains.
With 247 acres of vineyards in the Valpolicella Classico, the Allegrinis nurture a collection of remarkable sites, each with its own personality, soil, and microclimate. Together, they speak to the rich history and extraordinary quality of Valpolicella. All seven vineyards, ranging from the steep hillsides of La Grola to the perfect plateau of La Poja, offer unique, special terroir to express the full range of what is possible in one of Italy’s most prestigious and storied winemaking regions. The family has been a leader in a marrying traditional winegrowing styles with vineyard innovation, introducing modern trellis techniques, site, and varietal selection through meticulous evaluation.
Allegrini's winemaking philosophy is largely based on the concept of "cru" production: a single vineyard dedicated to the production of local varieties destined to become a single wine. These crus have been a success worldwide: The Palazzo della Torre, La Grola and La Poja have set the highest benchmarks for Valpolicella's wines.
